Which Years Of Used Audi Q8s Are Most Reliable?
Audi Q8 by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Seeking to take SUV design to the next level, Audi launched the Q8 for the 2019 model year. Based on the more conventional Q7, the Q8 features a rakish rear end, giving this two-row utility a coupe-like profile. For those seeking a more distinctive family hauler, the Audi Q8 certainly fits the bill. But if you’re shopping for a used version, you’ll want to know the most reliable Audi Q8 years.
The truth is the Audi Q8 is a relatively new vehicle with a high price tag, so there aren’t a lot of examples on the road. This situation makes it harder to identify the most reliable Audi Q8 years.
Regardless, we’ve combed through multiple sources to compile a list that prospective Audi Q8 purchasers should know.
At a glance, this means the 2020 and 2021 model years offer a surer path to Q8 reliability. The 2022 and 2023 Q8s just haven’t been around long enough to determine reliability. And the 2019 Q8 is the one to avoid.
Keep reading to learn the complete details.
THE AUDI Q8 YEARS TO AVOID
If you’re buying a used Audi Q8, you must know which years to avoid due to reliability issues. So today, we rounded up the worst Audi Q8 years to avoid and provide reasons why you should double-take as a used car buyer.
Model Year Overview: Most Reliable Audi Q8 Years
Let’s explore each model year of the Audi Q8. We’ll review data from carcomplaints.com, Consumer Reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other sources to see how reliability stacks up for these SUVs.
2019 Audi Q8
Reliability Verdict: Don’t Bother
After slicing and dicing the three-row Q7, Audi released the five-passenger Q8 as an even more upscale offering, the Q8. Given a price tag approaching six figures, it’s unsurprising that the company sold only 14,000 units in 2019. This modest success makes getting feedback about reliability and tracking trouble areas harder. It’s an ongoing issue for all Q8 model years.
Nonetheless, NHTSA has received 72 owner complaints to date about the Q8, and the majority of these reports cover the engine/powertrain or electrical system. That’s a clear warning not to add the 2019 Q8 to your shopping list. In addition, we recommend always avoiding the first year of an all-new model, and this 2019 Q8 information fails to prove otherwise.
Meanwhile, Consumer Reports gives the 2019 Audi Q8 a mid-tier 3 out of 5 for predicted reliability, which isn’t confidence-inspiring.
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2020 Audi Q8
Reliability Verdict: Go for It
In terms of reliability, the 2020 Q8 is night and day compared to the previous year. Carcomplaints.com has exactly one file on this vehicle (regarding the cooling system), and reports filed with NHTSA dropped significantly to twelve. And only three of these involve the engine or electrical system.
Clearly, Audi’s engineers worked extra hard to get rid of the first-year gremlins that plagued the 2019 Q8. However, sales dipped slightly to 12,000 units in 2020. The sharp reduction in reported issues is a sign to give the 2020 Q8 a thumbs up for reliability.
Of course, always have a used car inspected by a qualified mechanic before making a purchase. It’s the best way to confirm the reliability of a vehicle under consideration.
2021 Audi Q8
Reliability Verdict: A Thumbs Up with a Question Mark
Complaints filed with NHTSA continue the downward trend to a total of eight as of this writing. However, several involve fuel system issues, which certainly can affect reliability. It turns out Audi issued a recall for a bad fuel pump (which also affected the 2019 and 2020 model years).
So, assuming this problem has been fixed, the 2021 Audi Q8 should be good to go. However, using the NHTSA recall checker is always a good idea to see if a vehicle is subject to mandatory repairs and if recall repairs have been completed.
Otherwise, the 2021 Q8 gets a clean bill of health, as available information doesn’t indicate any patterns of common problems. This is a great top-tier SUV to add to the shopping list.
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2022 Audi Q8
Reliability Verdict: The Jury Is Still Out.
Sales of the Q8 nosedived to 8,500 units in 2022, something we’ll attribute to supply chain issues and rising interest rates rather than consumers souring on this Audi. However, this reduced availability translates into zero data regarding reliability. Carcomplaints.com has nothing to report, and neither does NHTSA nor Consumer Reports.
The only “blip” we can see is a pair of recalls covering a faulty rearview monitor, not a critical system like the engine or transmission. However, this silent treatment doesn’t necessarily confirm reliability. It could likely result from these vehicles being too new to develop problems.
As such, we’ll drive the 2022 Q8 into the limbo parking lot; it’s too early to pass judgment on its reliability. We’ll have to wait and see what the future brings.
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2023 Audi Q8
Reliability Verdict: The Vote Isn’t In Yet
We’ll include the 2023 Q8 in our review of the most reliable Audi Q8 years, but we don’t have much to tell you at this point. Through May, the automaker has sold less than 3,000 Q8s in 2023. So this vehicle is too new, and there are so few examples on the road to make a determination one way or another.
Plus, there are no complaints filed with usual sources. Meanwhile, Consumer Reports rates the 2023 Q8’s reliability a 3 out of 5, but this predicted reliability is just an educated guess. There is no solid information or owner reports.
Like with the previous model year, deciding reliability for the 2023 Audi Q8 isn’t possible at this time.
Audi Q8 Fast Facts (based on the 2023 model year)
- Trims/MSRP (before options and destination): Premium Plus/$95,500, Prestige/$101,500
- Maximum MSRP (top trim with all factory options and destination): $125,395
- Powerplant/Output (USA): Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8/500 horsepower, 568 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission/Drivetrain: Eight-speed automatic/All-wheel drive
- Configuration: Two-row, five-door SUV
- 0-60 MPH: 4.3 seconds
- Top Speed: 155 mph
- Factory Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
- Shares a Platform With (other Volkswagen Group vehicles): Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Porsche Cayenne
- Competes With (outside of Volkswagen Group vehicles): BMW X6, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
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